Jessica Dewberry

Jessica Dewberry is Auburn Engineering's undergraduate student recruiter, serving as the college's on- and off-campus representative since June 2011. A 2009 Auburn graduate, she is constantly on the go, traveling to college fairs across the region in support of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. With an engineering degree of her own, Dewberry knows firsthand what it takes to be an Auburn Engineer, and she is using that knowledge now to recruit the finest prospective students and bring them to Auburn.

1. What brought you to Auburn?

I'm from Alexander City – just up the road – and I come from a family that bleeds orange and blue. My parents both went to Auburn and my grandfather played football here. I grew up loving Auburn: the university, the community and the sense of pride for this school. I visited the university and took an official tour of the College of Engineering my senior year of high school, and that was it for me. I knew this was where I was going to go to school.

2. You have a bachelor's degree in engineering. How did you choose your major?

I knew I wanted to pursue engineering because I had always been strong in math and science. At first, I thought I wanted to go into a medical field, but when I toured the College of Engineering I was instantly hooked on polymer and fiber engineering. Julia Freeman in the department talked to me about how prosthetics are made and how polymer and fiber, in that way, were related to the medical field, and I was sold. It is a small, close-knit department and I wouldn't trade my experience for the world.

3. Why did you decide to earn a master's degree?

I went on to get my master's degree in public administration because when I was completing my undergrad I was active in the Student Government Association and served as an executive officer my senior year. I found my niche, as they say, and wanted leadership skills that would complement my degree in engineering. I am also a people person and love interacting with others.

4. How does being a recruiter for engineering tie your two degrees together?

Being a recruiter for engineering is the best of both worlds for me. I served as a student recruiter in Auburn's admissions office while I was a graduate student, and I learned the ins and outs of the university. I realized there is no better thing than telling people about Auburn and all that it has to offer. It is a very rewarding job to share information about Auburn's College of Engineering with prospective students and their families.

5. As someone who was a student just a few years ago, what do you tell students now who are interested in the College of Engineering?

There are so many wonderful things to tell them about Auburn Engineering. I tell them about student services and the extremely accommodating faculty members in this college who go the extra mile for our students. I also tell them about the extracurricular activities that engineering students participate in, in addition to their engineering studies — whether the marching band or Cupola Engineering Ambassadors or student competition teams. We do a really good job of producing well-rounded engineers, and I believe that's why employers want to hire Auburn grads.